Over the last few weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been playing most of their games away from Crypto.com Arena, and it has been a factor in them losing eight of their last 11 games. With a 17-17 record, they head into 2024 sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference and in need of a pick-me-up.
Their resulting lack of energy was evident on Sunday when they lost 129-109 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Los Angeles got outrebounded by 12 and gave up 25 second-chance points, while it got outscored by 21 points from behind the 3-point line.
Luckily, the team will have 11 of its next 12 games at Crypto.com Arena. That will allow its players to sleep in their own beds without having to catch any late-night or early-morning flights and use the team’s own facilities to train and rehab.
But LeBron James warned his troops about the complacency that could result from having so many games in succession at home.
LeBron James on the Lakers opening up 2024 with 11 of their next 12 games in Los Angeles: “It could hurt us in the sense where you start to feel comfortable because you’re at home. So we have to understand that, yes, just because we’re home we really can’t relax now.” pic.twitter.com/skxS97wVgU
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 1, 2024
For the Lakers to get on track and revive their championship aspirations, they will have to win almost all of their upcoming home games. If they do so, the confidence they will gain will help them when they head out on the road again.
